LAPORTE Woman charged after wrong-way driving...

August 18, 2006

LAPORTEWoman charged after wrong-way driving Police say that for at least a half mile, a LaPorte woman drove on the wrong side of Indiana 2, nearly striking a police officer and running several oncoming motorists off the road before crashing. Lynette Walker, 39, is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class A misdemeanor. About 10:30 p.m. Monday, a LaPorte police officer noticed a car westbound in the eastbound lanes approaching Boyd Boulevard. After swerving to avoid a crash, the officer pursued the driver, observing her run several oncoming drivers off the road in the wrong lanes before crashing into a sign outside Howmet Corp., police said. A certified Breathalyzer test showed Walker had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 percent. GOSHENTrees for conservation now available The Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District is arranging for area residents to buy tree seedlings to be used for conservation from Indiana state nurseries. The trees are available in bundles of 100 and must be ordered by Oct. 20, but will be available in April. For an order form, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to DNR Trees, c/o Elkhart County SWCD, 17746-B County Road 34, Goshen, IN 46528. ELKHARTNext Leadership Academy announced The Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the next Leadership Academy. The nine-month sessions focus on key issues while promoting skill development, problem-solving, team building, conflict management, decision-making and communication skills. Participants will be involved in a group project as well as serve a one-year board internship with a local nonprofit organization. Applications are due Aug. 26. Call Denise at (574) 293-1531. DUI checkpoint set for Saturday Beginning at 10 p.m. Saturday, Elkhart County Sheriff's Department officers and other agencies will conduct a DUI checkpoint at an intersection on Elkhart's west side. Drivers with blood-alcohol levels of 0.08 percent or more will be prosecuted after their arrests, authorities say. Other checkpoints are scheduled for Aug. 26 on Goshen's south side and Sept. 1 southwest of Elkhart. OSCEOLADay-care group to sponsor food program United Family Daycare Providers Inc. has announced its sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals will be available at no separate charge to enrolled children without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, according to a press release. The goal of the program is to improve the diets of young children and increase the opportunity for children to eat a variety of nutritious food. According to the group, meals and snacks served meet standards established the by U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact Cindy Reinoehl, director, at 54434 Christle Court, Osceola, IN 46561, or telephone (574) 675-0396.